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YOU & YOUR HEALTH Research round up NEW FRONTIERS NEW FRONTIERS: reSearch round up

nEw ScIEntIFIc StUDIES oF IntERESt to HoLIStIc tHERAPIStS AnD tHEIR cLIEntS…

AGING WELL: GUT MICROBES COULD BE THE KEY TO STAYING HEALTHIER LONGER

Bacteria and other microorganisms in the digestive tract are linked with dozens of health conditions including high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and body mass index (BMI) according to research presented at the ESC Congress by Dr. Hilde Groot of University Medical Centre Groningen, the Netherlands.

This is the first study which investigated multiple diseases and other traits in one cohort. It has revealed the staggering extent to which the microbiome influences sickness and health. The analysis used genetic data as a proxy for microbiome composition and over 422,000 subjects whose genetic sequences are held in the UK Biobank.

The researchers found that higher levels of eleven bacteria (estimated from genetic data) were associated with a total of 28 health and disease outcomes. These included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atopy (a genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases like asthma and eczema), frequency of alcohol intake, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and BMI.

PLAYFULNESS CAN BE TRAINED - HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD DO IT

Jung once said that all creative though comes from play, so a new research study from the LutherUniversität Halle-Wittenberg which suggests that simple exercises can help to make people more playful and consequently feel more satisfied with their lives makes interesting reading. Playfulness is a personality trait that is expressed differently in people. “Particularly playful people have a hard time dealing with boredom. They manage to turn almost any everyday situation into an entertaining or personally engaging experience,” explained Professor René Proyer, a psychologist at MLU. For example, they enjoy word games and mental games, are curious, or just like playing around”. Earlier studies by the researchers from MLU have shown that adults can put this inclination to positive use having an eye for detail, easily adopting new perspectives and making a monotonous task interesting for them.

The researchers divided their subjects into three experimental groups, who undertook daily exercises of different types for seven days and a placebo group. Those who engaged in the playfulness exercises reported an increase in playfulness and a temporary, moderate improvement in the participants’ well-being. Ref:

10.1111/aphw.12220

WELLBEING: YOGA REDUCES ANXIETY SYMPTOMS

According the UK government’s official statistics anxiety levels have increased dramatically during lockdown and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. More than a third of people experienced they symptoms of anxiety and at a more marked level than in 2019.

A new study at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, suggests that yoga may provide some benefit to those experiencing anxiety. The research showed yoga to be significantly more effective for generalised anxiety disorder than standard education on stress management, but not effective as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which often subject to long-waiting lists on the NHS.

After three months, both CBT and yoga were found to be significantly more effective for anxiety than stress management. Specifically, 54 percent of those who practiced yoga met response criteria for meaningfully improved symptoms compared to 33 percent in the stress-education group. Of those treated with CBT, 71 percent met these symptom improvement criteria.

However, after six months of follow-up, the CBT response remained significantly better than stress education (the control therapy), while yoga was no longer significantly better, suggesting CBT may have more robust, longerlasting anxiety-reducing effects. Ref: 10.1001/

jamapsychiatry.2020.2496

PHYSICAL WELLBEING: VITAMIN C CAN HELP OVER 50S RETAIN MUSCLE MASS

New research shows that Vitamin C could be the key to better muscles in later life, according to new food diary and blood analysis research from the University of East Anglia. The research team reported that older people who eat plenty of vitamin C, commonly found in citrus fruits, berries and vegetables, had the best skeletal muscle mass. Older people with poor muscle mass often suffer from sarcopenia, frailty and reduced quality of life. People over 50 lose up to one per cent of their skeletal muscle mass each year, and this loss is thought to affect more than 50 million people worldwide. The research team studied data from more than 13,000 people aged between 42-82 years, who are taking part in the EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) Norfolk Study. Dr Richard Hayhoe, of UEA’s Norwich Medical School, commented, “Our findings as suggest that dietary vitamin C may be useful for preventing age-related muscle loss. We found that nearly 60 per cent of men and 50 per cent of women participants were not consuming as much Vitamin C as they should, according to the European Food Safety Agency recommendations. We’re not talking about people needing megadoses. Eating a citrus fruit, such as an orange, each day and having a vegetable side to a meal will be sufficient for most people.” Ref: 10.1093/

jn/nxaa221

FERTILITY: LIGHT FROM NIGHT USE OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA APPEARS TO AFFECT SPERM QUALITY

Preliminary results from a new study show that greater self-reported exposure to light-emitting media devices in the evening and after bedtime is associated with a decline in sperm quality. Sperm concentration, motility and progressive motility were all lower, and the percentage of immotile sperm that are unable to swim was higher, in men who reported more smartphone and tablet usage at night.

“Smartphone and tablet use in the evening and after bedtime was correlated with decline in sperm quality. Furthermore, smartphone use in the evening, tablet use after bedtime, and television use in the evening were all correlated with the decline of sperm concentration,” said principal investigator Amit Green, PhD, head of research and development at the Sleep and Fatigue Institute at the Assuta Medical Center in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Ref:

10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.028

HORMONES: OESTROGEN MAY LESSEN SEVERITY OF COVID-19 SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN

Early studies have uncovered wide race, age and gender disparities in the infection rates and outcomes of those contracting COVID-19. Scientists at Wake Forest School of Medicine published a paper in the September online issue of the journal Current Hypertension Reports which suggests that as coronavirus affects the heart and oestrogen is known to be protective against cardiovascular disease in women, that the sex hormone reduces the severity of the corona virus in women.

Previously published research has indicated that the angiotensin-converting enzyme2 (ACE2), which is attached to cell membranes in the heart, arteries, kidneys and intestines, is the cellular receptor of the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 infections, and helps bring the virus into the cells of those organ systems. Oestrogen’s lowers the level of ACE2 in the heart, which may modulate the severity of COVID-19 in women. Ref: 10.1007/s11906-020-01073-x n

A natural approach

to staying sane in this crisis

We are currently in an unparalleled period of chaos and uncertainty. This comes about on top of record levels of mental health issues, in many age groups. According to mental health charity, Mind, before COVID, 1 in 4 people experience some sort of mental issue in the UK each year…

IT seems clear that even if a vaccine can be found for this outbreak, and even if you trust it, there is no quick fix solution, and there will be ongoing issues with viruses, whether COVID, or other coronaviruses, or new strains, for the foreseeable future as a result of the degradation of our environment.

There are however a number of natural solutions to building our immune systems which can give us the best chance of living a healthy life despite the existence of viruses, both for prevention and amelioration of symptoms.

Our immune system is like the soil – full of bacteria carrying out a range of functions to support life and to destroy harmful substances. Thanks to the new science regarding the microbiome, we know that in our gut, bacteria create energy from nutrients and ‘dis-create’ what we no longer need or can represent a threat. The ‘gut-brain’ axis has and is being researched intensively all over the world.

In the developed world, our immunity has been compromised by a lack of good bacteria in the gut, as well as loss of nutrients in our food. These issues have developed due to over-use of the soil, pollution, chemical spraying, hormones in animals, over-use of antibiotics which kill all bacteria, good and bad, and more. In the long term, cleaning up our act in terms of our treatment of the earth is the best or only solution. A recent study showed that just one course of antibiotics can increase your risk of depression by 24%, and anxiety disorders by 17%, while two courses give risk factors of 52% and 44% increases respectively.

Adding good bacteria through effective probiotics is therefore one essential step to rebuilding weakened immune systems. A good supply of essential nutrients, including the right vitamin-mineral balance, is the other. This includes Vitamin C which has been used in high doses in China and New York hospitals to support those fighting the effects of Covid-19, and also supplementing with Vitamin D, which recent studies have shown to be an important factor in reducing the risk of infection.

Equally importantly, but often overlooked, the right micronutrient balance is also essential to our mental health. Our brains are amongst the biggest consumers of nutrients, and when

essential elements are missing this can affect our neurological pathways, particularly when we are under stress.

For those affected with mental health issues who want to try a natural approach before turning to psychoactive drugs which may carry side effects or issues of addiction, the combination of broad spectrum micronutrient therapy and a good probiotic represents a potential lifeline. The advantage is felt both by the mind and in the general wellbeing of the physical body.

There is one formulation which has been the subject of over 30 scientific studies published in medical journals in the past 20 years which have borne out the effectiveness of broad spectrum micronutrient therapy for a broad range of neurological conditions as well as optimal general health. It was developed by Hardy Nutritionals in Canada.

David Hardy made it his life’s work to perfect a vitamin-mineral formula to help the health of his family and everyone else, including those trapped in mental illness. He created ‘Daily Essential Nutrients’ as a powerful clinical strength formula to help those affected by stress, trauma and other mood or brain disorders. Their everyday formula for those looking for a balanced supplement to ensure that all the essential nutrients are supplied is Optimal Balance for Women or for Men. Their Greens and Probiotics supplement is an excellent support to replenish the gut microbiome and boost immunity.

These products are now available in the UK through the online store created by Resource & Rebalance Me Ltd, www.naturalmentalhealth.co.uk Its directors Robin and Jenny Littman were inspired by the results in Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand, to bring the benefits to the UK.

Robin explained, “As a psychotherapist confronting levels of mental illness in the community, I was blown away by the dedication of the Hardy Nutritionals team, their research and the evidence of results born out in testimonials. These products are so easy to use, and can bring such relief to individuals and families. We are working with a number of practitioners who are listed on our new website. We believe strongly that building a robust immune system is the best defence against Covid, or any other, virus. These products can do this and address the stress, mood swings, and anxiety felt by so many from whatever cause.”

professional Testimonials

“The products designed by

David Hardy have been the backbone of my treatment program for Mood Disorders since 2000. I have found nothing else that even comes close. His formulations represent the most important advance in the treatment of mood disorders since John Cade brought our attention to Lithium Carbonate in 1949” Dr Scott Shannon MD ABIHM, Past President AHMA, Asst. Clinical Professor University of Colorado, Founder of Wholeness Centre, Integrative Mental Health Clinic.

“What we’re finding is the stability that vitamins and minerals are able to achieve is far greater than what drugs will do. Patients describe themselves as more clear-headed, able to think more sharply and more clearly”. Dr Charles W Popper, Harvard Medical School

“For more than 40 years as a natural medicine specialist I have searched the four directions for the best products for every type of health challenge...

So finding the Hardy’s Greens and Probiotics product is nothing short of a godsend. I can say with all my clinical experience there is no product equal to it on the market worldwide.

I have both used it myself and clients of mine in different places and climates in the world, all of whom had very diverse health challenges. I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly, and without any reaction symptomatically, within three to four days my clients experienced the benefits on their entire gastrointestinal systems. I am recommending this product as a base foundation to each and every one of my clients and friends.” Martin Claude Felt, author and creator of Unified Nutrition: Energetic Genetics n

New Trial Size bottle of daily Essential Nutrients

Daily Essential Nutrients is now available in a bottle containing 120 capsules. This is sufficient for a 10-14 day supply depending on whether you start at the therapeutic recommended dosage of 12 capsules per day or build up more slowly. With a price tag of only £43.00 this represents great value.

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For more information, contact us

by email

jenny@randrme.com

or call 01278 671863 / 07949 248646

www.naturalmentalhealth.co.uk